The Political Junkie offers an outside-looking- in view of the US. Each day, we will highlight news and opinion pieces from around the world that are focused on US politics and policy. Agree or disagree with the opinions you will read but take a few minutes to see yourselves as others see you.

Sarah Palin stepped out in Kansas
yesterday wearing a Superman T-shirt, skintight cropped pants and
five-inch platform wedges - her political uniform of choice while
campaigning for Republican Sarah Steelman.

While
mounting an aggressive campaign in Missouri with television and radio
ads, and then serving barbecued pork sandwiches at a rural political
picnic, the 48-year-old ditched her suits for an entirely new look.

Taking to the makeshift stage
in the middle of a farm field, the former Alaska governor proved her new style seems to be nowhere near as conservative as her political views.

After the former
vice-presidential candidate was controversially given a $150,000
clothing
allowance during the 2008 campaign, her outfits have routinely consisted
of sharp Valentino suits, Escada blazers and Elie Tahari dresses.